Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly says winning the Africa Cup of Nations means more to him than qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, underlining his deep respect for Africa’s flagship football competition.
The former Napoli and Chelsea defender is preparing for Senegal’s opening match against Botswana on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Speaking ahead of the game, Koulibaly stressed that AFCON holds a special place in his heart and should be valued more highly on the global stage.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is one of the most beautiful competitions in the world. Maybe some people don’t respect it, but I respect it deeply. I know what a victory at the AFCON represents. I would never trade winning the AFCON for qualifying to the World Cup.
The 34-year-old also called on the media to play a role in promoting the tournament and celebrating its cultural significance.
I also hope the press will help shine a light on this beautiful competition. Despite everything that has happened before, we must put it aside and play football, think about that joy of life that is unique to Africa. It is up to us, Africans, to defend our competition.
Senegal are among the favourites to challenge for the title as they look to add to their AFCON triumph, with Koulibaly expected to play a key leadership role throughout the tournament.
